|
| sanc·tu·ar·y [ sángkchoo èrree ] (plural sanc·tu·ar·ies) |
noun |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. refuge: a safe place, especially for people being persecuted
|
2. place where wildlife is protected: a place or area of land where wildlife is protected from predators and from being destroyed or hunted by human beings
 a bird sanctuary
|
3. religion holy place: a holy place, e.g. a church, mosque, or temple
|
4. religion most sacred part of holy building: the most sacred part of a consecrated building, e.g. the area around the altar in a Christian church
|
5. christianity church protecting fugitives: in medieval times, a holy place, usually a church, that provided immunity from the law
|
6. judaism Same as holy of holies
|
| [14th century. Via French< Latin sanctuarium< sanctus "holy" (see saint)] |